SCRUM

Declan Kidney hailed his team for overcoming the loss of two iconic captains, Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell, to bring the smile back to Irish rugby.

It says much about the strange nature of this year’s RBS 6 Nations championship that Ireland arrive at this Saturday’s finale against England wondering what might have been.

There have been no emails this week to the respective coaches but Ireland coach Declan Kidney is confident his players can get on the same page as RBS 6 Nations debutant referee Chris Pollock at Aviva Stadium today.

Having only won once in Paris over the last 40 years, a draw should have been a positive for Ireland.

Irish head coach Declan Kidney admitted he was “disgusted” with the penalty count at the end of Ireland’s 17-17 draw with France in Paris yesterday.

As things transpired, the postponement of the Six Nations meeting of France and Ireland for three weeks was rendered inconsequential.

France 17 Ireland 17

This is the part in the movies where one actor surveys the scene and remarks that things are quiet, too quiet. So be it. Right now, quiet is good.

The postponement of the RBS 6 Nations clash between France and Ireland brought into focus the risks of trying to play night rugby in the middle of winter, but it would never have got to that stage had the authorities consulted the players.

Former England and Leicester Tigers star Martin Corry has added his voice to the chorus of criticism aimed at the French Rugby Federation (FFR) after the late cancellation of last Saturday’s match between Ireland and France.

Toulouse president Rene Bouscatel has waded into the row over the re-scheduled Six Nations game between France and Ireland with a withering attack on rugby union’s organising bodies, the IRB and the Six Nations organising committee.

SO much physical and mental energy goes into preparing for an international test match that to have it called off as you are literally about to leave the dressing room must be emotionally draining.

Ireland’s postponed match against France has been rescheduled for Sunday March 4, Six Nations Rugby Ltd have confirmed.

Ireland’s hopes of a swift resolution to finding a new date for the postponed RBS 6 Nations clash in Paris were stymied last night by a club versus country conflict in France.

Former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has urged tournament organisers to stage Saturday night’s aborted RBS 6 Nations match at the Stade de France this weekend.

For the first time in 12 years Ireland returned from Paris undefeated in the Six Nations but not in the circumstances they would have wished.

FRANCE centre Aurelien Rougerie believes referee Dave Pearson was right to postpone Saturday night’s Six Nations clash with Ireland.

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell is hoping the Six Nations opt for a three-week delay to the weather-hit clash with France, preferring some precious time at home to a quick return to Paris this weekend.

Both the Six Nations and the International Rugby Board moved yesterday to support under-fire match referee Dave Pearson, following his decision to postpone Saturday night’s France-Ireland game.

IRELAND expect to learn today the new date for their postponed RBS 6 Nations clash with France with the Irish Rugby Football Union also keen to discuss with tournament organisers who will pick up the estimated €45,000 tab for the additional weekend in Paris.

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has described the postponement of last night’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France “as a bizarre end to a strange day”.

The Stade de France was the centre of farcical scenes last night when Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations match against France was postponed just 10 minutes before kick-off.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has told an interviewer on BBC2 that his players had reacted with "You’re joking me," when they heard that tonight's Six Nations clash with France was abandoned ten minutes before it was due to go ahead.

Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France tonight has been postponed due to the weather conditions in Paris.

Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France was tonight given the go-ahead after the Stade de France passed a pitch inspection by referee Dave Pearson.

Ireland have called up Paddy Wallace as cover for Jonathan Sexton ahead of tonight’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

Wales lock Bradley Davies will miss the rest of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship after receiving a seven-week ban.

Ireland team manager Michael Kearney has said he is “hopeful” that Stephen Ferris will be cleared at a disciplinary committee in London after he was cited for his ’tip tackle’ on Ian Evans on Sunday.

Wales lock Bradley Davies and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris have both been cited for foul play during Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations game between the countries in Dublin.

Bradley Davies should discover today whether he will be cited for an incident of foul play that could end his RBS 6 Nations season after just one game.

Keith Earls will rejoin the Ireland squad at Carton House today to give head coach Declan Kidney a much-needed boost ahead of the RBS 6 Nations trip to face France in Paris on Saturday night.

Wales lock Bradley Davies looks certain to miss next Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland in Cardiff – and captain Sam Warburton could be a doubt.

Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts started Wales’ RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland at Aviva Stadium despite concerns over their fitness.

Referees for this season’s RBS 6 Nations championship have been told to carry on their emphasis on the International Rugby Board’s five main areas of concern outlined before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

ULSTER boss Brian McLaughlin was a man of mixed emotions on Saturday.

Clermont Auvergne 19 Ulster 15

NORTHAMPTON produced a disciplined and ruthless performance to defeat Aviva Premiership leaders Harlequins and record their seventh win in their last eight outings.

IRELAND referee Alain Rolland can expect a red-hot reception when he takes charge of the Heineken Cup clash between Scarlets and Northampton Saints next month.

FRUSTRATING, sloppy, tight and an uncomfortable finish — and those are the words of the winning captain.

LLANELLI SCARLETS head coach Nigel Davies inferred English referee Dave Pearson bowed to the demands of home fans in yesterday’s Heineken Cup confrontation at Thomond Park.

Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt was not surprised that Jonathan Sexton held his nerve to salvage a 16-16 draw with the last kick of a pulsating game against Montpellier.

Montpellier 16 Leinster 16

WORLD CUP final referee Craig Joubert is among the officials taking charge of Ireland’s matches in the upcoming Six Nations while the IRB have kept faith with controversial Irish whistler Alain Rolland for the tournament.